Mop with insert

ABSTRACT

A cleaning apparatus is disclosed that includes an elongate handle, a cleaning head and an insert. The handle has proximal end portion and a distal end portion that define a longitudinal axis. The distal end portion of the handle is removably connected to the cleaning head. The cleaning head includes a flexible neck, a base plate having T-shaped projections and a removable cleaning element. The cleaning element is removable and has a three-layer mop that includes an attachment layer made of hook and loop material, which receives T-shaped projections, an absorbent layer and a scouring or scrubbing layer. The proximal portion of the handle defines an aperture aligned with the longitudinal axis. The aperture receives the insert. The insert is removably positionable in the proximal end portion of the handle between a first position and second position for use. The insert has a distal head that includes a scraper.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 11/108,973, hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to hand held cleaning devices and specifically to a mop having a grout brush insert in the handle.

2. Background of the Invention

Cleaning implements employ a variety of cleaning heads for different cleaning functions. Mops are specialized for cleaning floors, but typically lack the ability to provide specialized related cleaning tasks. The mopping of a ceramic tile floor readily cleans the tiles, for example, but the user may need to clean the grout between the tiles, which most often requires a different type of cleaning device. In addition, mopping can involve cleaning around obstacles positioned on the floor or in proximity to the floor. Traditional mops have rigid structures and commonly only rotate in a single plane.

A hand held cleaning apparatus is needed which combines a mop with a flexible neck and a secondary cleaning device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A floor cleaning apparatus is described that comprises a handle, an insert and a cleaning head. The handle has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion that define a longitudinal axis. The distal end portion is connected to the cleaning head and the proximal end portion defines a first aperture aligned with the longitudinal axis and a second aperture transverse to the longitudinal axis.

An insert is removably positionable in the first aperture and includes a distal head having a cleaning surface and a proximal handle having an aperture and a circular indention. The distal head and the proximal head define a second longitudinal axis. The aperture of the proximal handle is transverse to the second longitudinal axis. The insert is removably positionable from the aperture defined in the proximal end portion of the handle.

The distal end portion of the handle is removably connected to the cleaning head. The cleaning head includes a flexible neck, a base plate and a cleaning implement. The base plate having embedded T-shaped projections has a removable attachment with the cleaning element that is removable and replaceable.

The cleaning element includes an attachment layer comprising a hook and loop type material, an absorbent layer comprising absorbent material and a scrubbing layer comprising an abrasive hydrophobic material. The removable attachment between the base plate and the cleaning element is a hook and loop attachment, thereby providing for removability and replaceability of the cleaning element from the base plate.

The cleaning element has rectangular dimensions.

The cleaning head defines a horizontal plane and the neck flexes to a position approximately parallel to the horizontal plane in any direction.

The insert snap-fits into the handle. The insert has a similar cleaning surface as that of the cleaning head of the floor cleaning apparatus.

The proximal end portion of the handle includes an interface section which defines a protuberance and a tubular wall that defines two opposed protrusions. The proximal end portion of the handle also includes a flange that has an aperture transverse to the longitudinal axis such that when the insert is positioned in the handle the second aperture and the aperture of the proximal handle of the insert are aligned. The flange has a snap-fit attachment with the interface section providing for removability and replaceability of the flange from the interface section.

The circular channel of the insert is received by protrusions on the tubular wall of the interface section, when the insert is positioned in the proximal end portion of the handle the aperture of the insert aligned with the aperture of the flange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views where:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a cleaning apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a front view of a handle of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is a front view of a proximal end portion of the handle of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a front view of a flange of the handle of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the proximal end portion of the handle of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 5A is a front view of an insert of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5B is a side view of the insert of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are front views of the proximal end portion of the handle of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 that show one method of positioning and removing the insert from the handle;

FIG. 7A is a rear perspective view of a cleaning head and handle of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7B is a rear perspective view of a base plate; of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is a left side view of the base plate of FIG. 7B;

FIG. 7D is a bottom view of the base plate of FIG. 7B;

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the base plate of FIG. 7B showing a range of motion of a flexible neck in one preferred embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the alternate exemplary positions of the handle flexed relative to the cleaning head;

FIG. 10A is a left side view of a cleaning element of FIG. 7A separated from the base plate;

FIG. 10B is a left side view of the cleaning element of FIG. 7A attached to the base plate;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the cleaning head scrubbing a tile surface with a flexion of a flexible neck; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the insert of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 in operational use.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated using phantom lines and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to understand may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a cleaning apparatus 10 includes a handle 12, an insert 14, and a cleaning head 16. The handle 12 receives insert 14 and connects to cleaning head 16. In this one preferred embodiment, insert 14 is a grout scrubber and cleaning head 14 is a mop head. The insert 14 has a first position inside handle 12 and a second position removed from handle 12. In the second position, insert 14 can be used independent of or in conjunction with cleaning head 16. Cleaning apparatus 10 is preferably made of polymer materials, but apparatus 10 can also include other materials such as metals, composites and cellulose.

As shown in FIG. 2, handle 12 is preferably an elongate member that includes a proximal end portion 18 that can receive insert 14 and a distal end portion 20 that connects to cleaning head 16. Proximal end portion 18 and distal end portion 20 define a first longitudinal axis-X.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A -3C, the proximal end portion 18 has a tubular shape that receives insert 14. Proximal end portion 18 includes a flange 24 that has a through hole 26 and an interface section 28. The flange 24 is snap-fitted via protuberance 30 atop proximal end portion 18 and over interface section 28. The flange 24 is movably connected to proximal end portion 18. In this one preferred embodiment, flange 24 rotates about the longitudinal axis-X in a sliding relationship with and interface section 28. Interface section 28 defines a protuberance 30 and a pair of opposed grooves 32.

Referring to FIG. 4, interface section 28 defines an aperture 34 aligned with the longitudinal axis-X. The aperture 34 is shaped and dimensioned to receive insert 14 and extends a predetermined length in the distal direction within handle 12. The interface section 28 also contains a pair of opposed protrusions 36 that preferably provide a biased snap-fit with insert 14 in handle 12

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, insert 14 includes a proximal handle 38, an elongate portion 40 and a distal head 42 that define a second longitudinal axis-X′. The proximate handle 38 includes a through hole 44 and a cantilevered portion 46 that can also be used to assist in the insertion or removal of insert 14 from handle 12. At the bottom of the proximate handle 38, concentric to the longitudinal axis-X′ is a circular channel 48 that engages protrusions 36 with a snap-fit. The connection between insert 14 and handle 12 securely connects insert 14 in aperture 34 independent of the angular orientation of apparatus 10.

The distal head 42 includes a scraper 50. In this preferred embodiment, scraper 50 is a scraping strip that is adhesively attached to head 42. The insert 14 and distal head 42 have dimensions that are suitable for reaching into and cleaning narrow spaces. It is understood that scraper 50 can be a coated abrasive type device for scraping in a household environment.

Referring to FIG. 6A, one method for positioning insert 14 into proximal end portion 18 of handle 12 is described. Insert 14 is in the second position, separated from cleaning apparatus 10. The longitudinal axis-X′ of insert 14 is aligned with the longitudinal axis-X of handle 12 for the insertion of insert 14 in handle 12.

Referring now to FIG. 6B, the distal head 42 and elongate portion 40 of insert 14 are directed into aperture 34 of proximal end portion 18 via flange 24. Grooves 32 assist in guiding insert 14 into handle 12 and the alignment of through holes 26 and 44.

When insert 14 is completely inserted, circular channel 48 slidingly crosses opposed protrusions 36 and snap-fits insert 14 in the first position. When insert 14 is securely positioned in aperture 34 along the longitudinal axis-X of handle 12, hole 26 in flange 24 of handle 12 is approximately aligned with through hole 44 in insert 14. The insert 14 can be removed from handle 12 by reversing the above method.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, cleaning head 16 includes a neck 52, a base plate 54 and a cleaning element 56. The neck 52 is removably connected to distal end portion 20 of elongate handle 12. The connection between neck 52 and handle 12 is preferably a standard threaded interface with a female receptacle 58 defined in neck 52 that receives male threads 22 located on the distal end portion 20. A user simply screws handle 12 into neck 52 to attach the neck 52 to the handle 12.

As shown in FIG. 7B and 7C, the bottom of base plate 54 has T-shaped projections 60 that attach to cleaning element 56. As shown in FIG. 7D, sets of T-shaped projections 60 are embedded on the on the bottom of base plate 54.The cleaning element 56 is removably connectable to base plate 52. Cleaning element 56 can be a disposable or reusable assembly. The cleaning element 56, which is a mop in this preferred embodiment, includes:

-   -   (a) a first layer 62 which is preferably made of a hook and loop         type material which fastens to T-shaped projections 60;     -   (b) a second layer which is an absorbent layer 64 preferably         made of sponge foam; and     -   (c) a third distal facing layer which is a scrubbing or scouring         layer 66 that is preferably made of an abrasive material;         alternatively the third distal facing layer can be sponge type         mop.

Referring now to FIG. 8, neck 52 and handle 12 define an axis-X that is in an arbitrary initial angular position of 60° from a horizontal plane 70 of cleaning head 16. This first position of neck 52 keeps handle 12 in one of the preferred positions for cleaning. The neck 52 is made of elastomeric material, such as rubber or a flexible polymer that when flexed from an initial position remains in the flexed position. This enables neck 52 to flex (as indicated by the phantom lines) and twist (as indicated by the directional arrows) relative to handle 12. The opposing end of neck 52 is connected to base plate 54.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, neck 52 and handle 12 are aligned in an initial position A and neck 52 flexes and/or twists to any angle to advantageously position cleaning head 16 relative to handle 12 as shown in the different exemplary directional positions B, C, and D. It is understood that neck 52 enables handle 12 to be bent in any direction relative to cleaning head 16 and up within the range 0° to 180° degrees with the horizontal plane 70 of cleaning head 16.

Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, to attach cleaning element 56, a user merely presses base plate 54 onto attachment layer 62 such that T-shaped projections 60 bond with use hook and loop material of attachment layer 62.

During cleaning operation, a downward and horizontal sliding force is typically applied by the user. The horizontal sliding force strengthens the bond between T-shaped projections and attachment layer. The bond maximizes when the flexible neck bends and ensures that the applied horizontal sliding force is approximately parallel to the plane of attachment layer.

FIG. 11 shows cleaning apparatus 10 in operation mopping a floor. The user applies a force for mopping that is in an approximately downward and horizontal direction through handle 12. Mopping as defined herein includes sponge mopping as well as scouring or scrubbing. The flexible neck 52 is stiff and can be selectively bent to any desired angle to aid in mopping under specific circumstance such as around or under obstacles. In addition, apparatus 10 can impart a bias through cleaning head 16 against the floor. Thus, flexible neck 52 transfers the force applied by the user to the floor. The elastomeric flexible neck 52 also ensures that the sweeping action of cleaning apparatus 10 has a softer feel compared with prior art designs that incorporate a rigid handle and neck.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, a user employs insert 14 as a separate cleaning device. When in the second position insert 14 is used for specialized cleaning purposes such as the cleaning of grout between tiles. The insert 14 either can be moved to the first position by previously described methods or can be suspended from a hook or a bar.

Floor cleaning apparatus 10 can be readily used for mopping using cleaning head 16 as well as for specialized cleaning by removing insert 14 from the first position in handle 12 to the second position. The cleaning head can 16 can be selectively used for scrubbing a tile floor, for example, and the insert 14 in the second position as a separate device is used separately to scrub a difficult to remove stain or material on the floor as well as the grout between tiles, for example.

The flexible neck 52 of cleaning head 16 advantageously allows the user to adjust neck 52 and handle 12 to any desired angle of the cleaning head 16 relative to handle 12 while mopping around or under furniture, for example. The adjustable angle of neck 52 advantageously allows the user to comfortably adjust the angle of cleaning element 54 relative to handle 12 and thereby reach less accessible places and/or maintain a close contact with the surface being cleaned. The user can advantageously apply downward force along the axis-X for wringing the mop.

Advantages of cleaning element 56 attached to the base plate using the combination of the hook and loop material and T-shaped projections 60 are reusability and fast replacement. The user can keep additional cleaning elements 54 that can be easily attached, inserted and used.

The embodiments of the invention shown and discussed herein are merely illustrative of modes of application of the present invention. Reference to details in this discussion is not intended to limit the scope of the claims to these details, or to the figures used to illustrate the invention. 

1. A cleaning apparatus that comprises: a handle that includes a distal end portion and a proximal end portion; the handle defines a first longitudinal axis, the proximal end portion defines a first aperture aligned with the first longitudinal axis; an insert that includes a distal head and a proximal handle, the insert defines a second longitudinal axis, the distal head has a scraper, the proximal handle defines a second aperture transverse to the second longitudinal axis, the insert positionable in and removable from the first aperture; and a cleaning head that includes a flexible neck, a base plate and a cleaning element, the neck connects to the distal end portion of the handle and provides for the directional flexing of the neck and handle relative to the baseplate, the cleaning element removable from and connectable to the base plate.
 2. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base plate has a bottom surface and the bottom surface includes a plurality of embedded T-shaped projections that connect to and disconnect from the cleaning element.
 3. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scraper is a scraping strip.
 4. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scraping strip is connected by adhesive to the insert.
 5. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insert connects to the proximal end portion of the handle and remains connected to the handle independent of the angular orientation of the handle.
 6. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning element includes a first attachment layer of hook and loop material, a second absorbent layer of sponge type absorbing material and a third scrubbing layer.
 7. The cleaning apparatus of claim 6, wherein the scrubbing layer includes an abrasive hydrophobic material.
 8. The cleaning apparatus of claim 6, wherein the scrubbing layer includes a water absorbing sponge type material.
 9. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning element is disposable.
 10. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connection between the base plate and the cleaning element is a hook and loop connection.
 11. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insert snap-fits into the first aperture.
 12. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the proximal end portion of the handle includes an interface section that defines a protuberance and a tubular wall, the tubular wall defines a pair of opposed protrusions and a flange.
 13. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the proximal end portion of the handle includes a flange, the flange has an aperture transverse to the longitudinal axis and the handle of the insert has an aperture transverse to the second longitudinal axis such that when the insert is positioned in the aperture in the handle, the aperture in the handle of the insert and aperture in the flange are aligned.
 14. The cleaning apparatus of claim 12, wherein the flange has a snap-fit attachment with the interface section providing for removability and replaceability of the flange from the interface section. 